Farrell Reflects On Youth Cup Exit

Andy Farrell says the Clarets must learn important lessons from last night’s FA Youth Cup defeat to the Met Police.

Burnley exited the competition at the third round stage after losing 6-5 on penalties to their spirited lower league opponents.

And Farrell hopes that the Clarets can use the disappointment to move on quickly ahead of their North West Youth Alliance fixture against Port Vale on Saturday.

He said: “We just have to move on now and take whatever positives we can from it. I’m sure they will take bigger knocks in the footballing career so it’s important they learn from this.

“Everyone was sat in the dressing room after the match very disappointed, more with their performance more than anything.

“The result is obviously not something we wanted but we just have to move on and that’s football.

Josh Dolling’s goal in extra-time looked to have sealed progression, but for a late Ben Marret header to take the game to spot-kicks.

The Clarets came up an inspired Met Police goalkeeper in Callum Lunn, who denied Hobson and Howarth from the spot, and Farrell was left to reflect on not being able to put their non-league opponents to the sword.

He added: “They had a few glimpses and chances here and there, but the majority of the chances fell for us, especially in the first half and their goalkeeper pulled off numerous saves.

“We should have come in at half-time two or three goals up and that should have killed the game off. That would have given us the confidence to pass the ball around in the second half.

“We didn’t start the second half well. If you come back out and take your foot off the pedal, you are going to be on the back foot and they did that by equalising to make it 1-1.

“Their goalkeeper had a great game. Tony Aghayere pulled off a great save, tipping one onto the crossbar late on, but we just needed that extra goal and get a cushion but we just couldn’t quite get it.”